tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721Thu, 16 Jul 2015 20:10:38 +0000WBALMaryland slotsO'MalleyJohn PattiMarylandMaryland Death PenaltyObamaSuper Bowlslots1981AbortionBaltimore Humane SocietyBaltimore Restaurant WeekBarry LevinsonBill BurtonCampaign SignsDale KelbermanDavid CordishDavid DickDr. David CohenEarly VotingElectric DeregulationFranchotFrank ReynoldsFred ManfraGabrielle CliffordsGeorge WallaceGregg BernsteinHIPPAID CardsIllegal ImmigrationInternsJohns Hopkins HospitalLaurelMaryland General Assembly 2011Michael PhelpsMichael SteeleMike BuschObama InaugurationPrison InmatesProject Open SpaceRecipeRonald ReaganSam DonaldsonSaturdaySofie the CatStan ChambersState of StateSuburban HouseTattoosUlysses CurrieWalter CronkiteWilliam Donald Schaefershillelaghsnack taxReporterroblangI am a 22-year veteran of radio and television news reporting. I'm a Baltimore County native, who came home to WBAL-AM News in July, 2004. I'm a general assignment and state legislative reporter as well as the Saturday morning news anchor. We'll be talking about state government and politics, in Maryland and beyond. I view blogging as a way to "empty the reporter's notebook" and provide you more detail and insights, that we can't provide in a :40 story on the hourly news.http://roblang.wbal.com/noreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)Blogger275125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-1600548643024151853Sun, 28 Jun 2015 08:21:00 +00002015-06-28T04:22:05.178-04:00The Great Equalizer<br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Almost immediately after&nbsp;Governor Hogan's&nbsp;announcement that he had cancer on Monday, the Tweets, Facebook posts and emails came in offering support for the governor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It didn’t matter whether they were Republican or Democrat, there were thoughts and prayers offered for the governor.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Politics are thrown out the window in the face of a life threatening illness.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/211612967&amp;color=ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe> <span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two expressions are particularly noteworthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One came as the news was breaking from Kevin Menzell, who survived the same cancer Governor Hogan has and is three and a half years cancer free. </span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kevin was gracious enough to call us Monday during Maryland’s News Now after the governor made his announcement.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kevin became very emotional when he talked about his own fight.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"You look at life differently.&nbsp; Some things that are not important, you try not let bother you, and life has changed so much," Kevin told us.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Anotehr expression came this past Tuesday night, at the Maryland Republican Party's Red White and Blue Dinner.&nbsp; </span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Developer David Cordish, was introducing the guest speaker, his friend Donald Trump, when he talked about how the same cancer the govenror has impacted his life.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He noted that twenty years ago his then wife suffered from the same cancerl.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"She is completely healthy over two decades later and going strong.&nbsp; Governor, we will all be praying for the same outcome for you," Cordish told the crowd.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On Thursday, when he updated reporters on his illness, the governor said that he appreciated the support, the calls, the emails and the Facebook posts.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hogan even noted that he had phone conversations with House Speaker Michael Busch, and Senate President Mike Miller, two Demcorats with whom he clashed during the legislative session.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hogan noted the battles over education funding, and other issues, seemed trivial now.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Those battles will continue, but news of a life threatening illness does put them in perspective.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is one of the reasons cancer is the great equalizer.</span>http://roblang.wbal.com/2015/06/the-great-equalizer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-4676687628574092978Mon, 30 Mar 2015 21:14:00 +00002015-03-30T17:14:24.762-04:00"Bill's Basics"<span style="font-size: x-small;">***EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the script of a segment that was supposed to air on Sunday's Maryland's News This Week on WBAL. However, it did not air due to time constraints******</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuFrQ2Daegs/VRm8aQXn3mI/AAAAAAAABHc/WWdnYCR-xtA/s1600/BANK%2BOF%2BMICS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuFrQ2Daegs/VRm8aQXn3mI/AAAAAAAABHc/WWdnYCR-xtA/s1600/BANK%2BOF%2BMICS.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">I</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">f you are a reporter covering any kind of government, local state or federal, a good public information officer is a must.</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /> The public information officer, P-I-O as it is known is the spokesperson for whatever govenrment agency you cover, be it law enforcement, the legislature, the military, what ever.<br /> <br />It is never your only source of information on any story, but it is a vital source.<br /> <br />In working in radio and television news for nearly 29 years, no one did the P-I-O job better than Bill Toohey, who died this past Thursday after a brief illness.<br /> <br />Bill had a very successful career in radio news news in New York, and then in public radio in Baltimore before he moved over the dark side as some of us like to calll it and became a publci information officer, first for the city housing department, then for Senators Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes.<br /> <br />Bill's best work came in the 14 years he served as spokesman for the Baltimroe County Police. He is someone reporter would call on a daily basis, on any kind of possible story, small and large, and there was no bigger story that Bill handled thatn the 2000 seige in Dundalk, where Joseph Palczynski held three people and entire neighborhood. <br /><br />Here's how WBAL's Bill Vanko covered the end of that standoff.<br /><br /> <iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/198467668&amp;color=ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Bill Toohey later worked for the Govenror's&nbsp;Crime Prevention Council&nbsp;and taught communications at Towson University.<br /><br />After Bill passed away last Thursday, Don Mohler, the chief of staff for County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, posted on Facebook "Bill's Basics"<br /><br />It&nbsp;was his advice to aspiring public information officers, aobut how to handle a crisis, and how to deal with the public.<br /><br /> <br />1. Always work to be thought of as a resource, not a target.<br /> <br />2. Acknowledge the problem; stress the response.<br /> <br />3. Better to eat a little crow now than choke on a lot of lies later.<br /> <br />4. Successful crisis management depends on three basic rules: be there, be there, and be there.<br /> <br />5. Once you make sure they've got it, make sure they've got it right.<br /> <br />Those were the&nbsp;basics that made Bill Toohey great, and why we will miss him so much.<br /> <br />Bill Toohey is survived by his wife Rosemary, who is an extraordinary writer and broadcaster in her own right, as well as four children and grandchildren.<br /> <br />Our thoughts and prayers are with the Toohey family.</span></span>http://roblang.wbal.com/2015/03/bills-basics.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-3417269812371888177Mon, 10 Nov 2014 17:50:00 +00002014-11-10T12:50:04.000-05:00Conquering the Bay Bridge On FootIt has been a source of aggravation for beach bound motorists, and Eastern Shore commuters.<br /><br />It has been called the scariest bridge in America.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFal9pB9UgM/VGD6ZuzMEgI/AAAAAAAABGg/3d5dRtewlvE/s1600/EMPTY%2BEASTBOUND%2BSPAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OFal9pB9UgM/VGD6ZuzMEgI/AAAAAAAABGg/3d5dRtewlvE/s1600/EMPTY%2BEASTBOUND%2BSPAN.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></div><br /><br />It is also an awesome place to run.<br /><br />This past Sunday, I joined nearly 20,000 runners and walkers to participate in the "Across the Bay 10K."<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/klhCuRMvlP4" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />It was the first time in eight years, one of the spans of the Bay Bridge was closed to runners and walkers.<br /><br />We were blessed with light winds, and mild temperatures.<br /><br />Runners started the race in groups, based on our ability, and not to cause a stampede.<br /><br />By the time, my group started at 9:15, the temperatures were in the 40's with very light winds.&nbsp; <br /><br />While there were people racing to win, many were stopping to enjoy the view, and take pictures.<br /><br />There were portable bathrooms at the top of the bridge, for runners who needed it, and I saw several people actually get their picture taken outside the bathrooms.<br /><br />One woman later told me she had her picture taken because , "how many times can you say, you actually went to the bathroom on top of the Bay Bridge."<br /><br />Running in a race like this, involves a lot of waiting.&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K205OWBiEvI/VGD6Mi7IXHI/AAAAAAAABGY/iQ0VixSPKZ4/s1600/WAITING%2BFOR%2BBAY%2BBRIDGE%2BBUS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K205OWBiEvI/VGD6Mi7IXHI/AAAAAAAABGY/iQ0VixSPKZ4/s1600/WAITING%2BFOR%2BBAY%2BBRIDGE%2BBUS.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />There was traffic getting to Navy Marine Corps Stadium where many of us parked our cars.&nbsp; <br /><br />There was a wait for the shuttle buses to get you to the Northrop Gruman facility near the bridge, which served as a starting line.<br /><br />There was also a wait to start.<br /><br />Still the wait was worth it.&nbsp; The view was spectacular. The run was invigorating.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6eGnPAy8Gw/VGD50apHPrI/AAAAAAAABGQ/FtkZY6zi4RA/s1600/RUNNERS%2BCROSSING%2BFINISH%2BLINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6eGnPAy8Gw/VGD50apHPrI/AAAAAAAABGQ/FtkZY6zi4RA/s1600/RUNNERS%2BCROSSING%2BFINISH%2BLINE.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Congratulations to race founder Sparrow Rogers, and to Dave McGillivray, whose company runs the Boston Marathon, and who managed this race.<br /><br />Congratulations to top men's finisher Steve Haegy of Lansdale, PA, the top men's finisher, who finished in 33 minutes, 29 seconds, and the top women's finisher Susan Hendrick of Silver Spring, who finished in 38 minutes, 35 seconds.<br /><br />This reporter, who resumed running regularly nearly three years ago after a 15 year layoff, decided to make this run his first 10K (6.2 miles).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPoY9MMUWC8/VGD6nhJWZnI/AAAAAAAABGo/rkY5_hJpi1o/s1600/VICTORY%2BPIX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rPoY9MMUWC8/VGD6nhJWZnI/AAAAAAAABGo/rkY5_hJpi1o/s1600/VICTORY%2BPIX.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></div><br /><br />I finished way back in the pack in a time of 1 hour, 13 minutes, 3 seconds.<br /><br />It was a run to remember.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />http://roblang.wbal.com/2014/11/conquering-bay-bridge-on-foot.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-7946123694430904838Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:05:00 +00002014-09-10T15:05:37.749-04:00Baltimore's Best Kept SecretIt all started with peanut butter sandwiches, and hot coffee.<br /><br />In September, 1968, a group of Franciscan nuns set up shop on Maryland Avenue to hand out food to the poor.<br /><br />At the time, Baltimore was still seeing the impact of the race riots of the 1960's.<br /><br />It was the start of the <a href="http://fcbmore.org/">Francsican Center.</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NL4u1O2Ni84/VBCejY02y6I/AAAAAAAABFY/UBRuFWmS87s/s1600/FRANCISCAN%2BCENTER%2BSIGN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NL4u1O2Ni84/VBCejY02y6I/AAAAAAAABFY/UBRuFWmS87s/s1600/FRANCISCAN%2BCENTER%2BSIGN.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />In 1997, the center moved to a former school in the 100-block of West 23rd Street, just off Howard Street.<br /><br />The center is more than just a soup kitchen.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCF8aAONteo/VBCes-WOFxI/AAAAAAAABFg/JMZ7CZQS3fw/s1600/PEOPLE%2BIN%2BLINE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mCF8aAONteo/VBCes-WOFxI/AAAAAAAABFg/JMZ7CZQS3fw/s1600/PEOPLE%2BIN%2BLINE.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />Aside from offering a hot lunch five days a week, the center has a food pantry.&nbsp; They offer clothing to those who need it, including Attire 4 Hire.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsnC0TxK58E/VBCe5j4haGI/AAAAAAAABFo/lBF9FuxPNEM/s1600/SUITS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsnC0TxK58E/VBCe5j4haGI/AAAAAAAABFo/lBF9FuxPNEM/s1600/SUITS.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />That's where qualified recipient get a suit, shoes, shirts ties, and everything else they need, if they need a suit for a job interview or other big event.<br /><br />The center offers computer and job skills training, and help paying bills, and finding housing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpAHQ88Tfj0/VBCfsS6S_8I/AAAAAAAABFw/zXWatikMk_w/s1600/COMPUTERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpAHQ88Tfj0/VBCfsS6S_8I/AAAAAAAABFw/zXWatikMk_w/s1600/COMPUTERS.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />The center's development director Meg Ducey took me on a tour of the center this week.<br /><br />She told me that the center is often described as "Baltimore's best kept secret," when it comes to helping the poor.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hneopPbJH64/VBCf6XtBp2I/AAAAAAAABF4/tX3cnZH--vc/s1600/PANTRY%2BWINDOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hneopPbJH64/VBCf6XtBp2I/AAAAAAAABF4/tX3cnZH--vc/s1600/PANTRY%2BWINDOW.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />She believes that's because the center offers so many services, and other agencies that help the poor often refer clients to the center.<br /><br />Every day lunch is served from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and an average of 500 people come to the center for lunch.&nbsp; Another 200 come in for other services.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sdph4A7d4A4/VBCg59DxvAI/AAAAAAAABGA/2uflb4nbd-M/s1600/CLOTHES%2BHELP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sdph4A7d4A4/VBCg59DxvAI/AAAAAAAABGA/2uflb4nbd-M/s1600/CLOTHES%2BHELP.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />The Franciscan Center attempts to use every space of their building on West 23rd Street, to help the poor.<br /><br />Like any organziation that helps the poor, they rely heavily on donations.<br /><br />Next Saturday, September 20, the Franciscan Center is hosting its annual "Voices from the Heart Gala," to raise money for the center.<br /><br /><a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e96u9qe1a83c98aa&amp;llr=uqjljbeab"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a><strong> to register for the gala.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />BGE and Stifel are the corrpoate sponsors of the event.<br /><br />I have been asked to serve as the MC of the gala.&nbsp; It will be a chance to highlight some of the people who have been helped by the Franciscan Center, and hear some great music.http://roblang.wbal.com/2014/09/baltimores-best-kept-secret.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-403242555793563585Sat, 12 Jul 2014 01:30:00 +00002014-07-12T10:34:59.650-04:00The First TenThis Saturday marks exactly ten years since I joined the WBAL Radio News team.<br /><br />I'm not one who dwells much on the past, but permit me to use this blog to offer&nbsp;a few reflections.<br /><br />People will often ask me, "what's the biggest story you've ever covered?"<br /><br />It will sound trite to say that it is hard to pick one.&nbsp; Certainly the stories that were the most tragic are the most memorable.<br /><br />I often think about the people who were in the Mall in Columbia, on that horrible day back in January.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Il7MI8EdA8k/U8CJyikcyzI/AAAAAAAABDQ/aCWbKw4g4gM/s1600/MALLL+MEMORIAL+OUTSIDE+STARBUCKS+ENTRANCE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Il7MI8EdA8k/U8CJyikcyzI/AAAAAAAABDQ/aCWbKw4g4gM/s1600/MALLL+MEMORIAL+OUTSIDE+STARBUCKS+ENTRANCE.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />&nbsp;I don't just think about Briana Benlolo, and Tyler Johnson, whose lives were cut short on January 25, or Darion Aguilar, and what drove him to commit such a horrific act. &nbsp;I also think about the parents and children stuck in the mall during the shooting, not knowing what would happen next. You hope those kids are going to be able to recover from such a trauma.&nbsp; <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRPZaSUolF8/U8CKqDlFDWI/AAAAAAAABDo/-5VgRUt-4MQ/s1600/FIREFIGHTERS+SUNUP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sRPZaSUolF8/U8CKqDlFDWI/AAAAAAAABDo/-5VgRUt-4MQ/s1600/FIREFIGHTERS+SUNUP.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />I also think about Barbara Hopkins, who lost her daughter-in-law, and four of her great-grandchildren in a fire on Denwood Avenue, early on a morning in October, 2012.&nbsp; <br /><br />I think about the students and teachers who survived the shooting at Perry Hall High School in August,&nbsp;2012.&nbsp; I think about Dr. David Cohen, and the doctors, nurses and patients who were in the hospital, during the shootings in September, 2010.&nbsp; I also think about the people of Nickelmine, Pennsylvania, both Amish and English, who dealt with the Amish school massacre of October, 2006.<br /><br />We've covered a lot of politics, and legislative sessions over the last ten years.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eydFZfRd-VY/U8CLLFVcntI/AAAAAAAABD0/DDW4ozjZ9v4/s1600/BRUCE+MARCUS+AND+JOHN+LEOPOLD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eydFZfRd-VY/U8CLLFVcntI/AAAAAAAABD0/DDW4ozjZ9v4/s1600/BRUCE+MARCUS+AND+JOHN+LEOPOLD.jpg" /></a></div><br />Certainly, the scandals that led to the resignations of Sheila Dixon and John Leopold were the biggest political stories I covered.&nbsp; The interesting part of both of those stories is they are not finished.&nbsp; I really think both will attempt a comeback.&nbsp; The question remains whether the voters will let them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>As for the legislature, I have covered sixteen regular and special sessions of the Maryland General Assembly.&nbsp; That's a lot of debates and a lot of hearings.&nbsp; Some of my talk show colleagues will say the tax hikes approved over the last eight years would be the biggest legislative story of the last ten years.&nbsp; I would argue the passage of the Marriage Equality Act in 2012, and the approval of Question 6, in the November election that year.&nbsp; For better or worse, that act was a game changer.&nbsp; It told the children of same sex couples that in the eyes of the state, in the eyes of&nbsp; a majority of Maryland voters, your family is not different than anyone else's.&nbsp; It was&nbsp;cool to witness that part of Maryland history.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnsMJ2t1G1E/U8CN5oeih_I/AAAAAAAABEo/4fYJpnK63Fc/s1600/Washington+Monument+and+College+Park+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnsMJ2t1G1E/U8CN5oeih_I/AAAAAAAABEo/4fYJpnK63Fc/s1600/Washington+Monument+and+College+Park+049.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />There have been a lot of stories involving amazing people who have overcome challenges in life. I've also had the chance to go places where you couldn't go if you had a "normal" job.&nbsp; My recent trip up the Washington Monument is a great example of that.<br /><br />For a kid who grew up in Baltimore, and who listened to WBAL Radio, and watched WBAL-TV 11, the chance to work at WBAL has been nothing, but a dream job.<br /><br />WBAL&nbsp;is a place where good journalism and good broadcasting is the standard, and you face the daily challenge of living up to those very high standards.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSTZ_3opnL4/U8COHoN8_tI/AAAAAAAABEw/HLajXPZwGiw/s1600/us+covering+shooting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rSTZ_3opnL4/U8COHoN8_tI/AAAAAAAABEw/HLajXPZwGiw/s1600/us+covering+shooting.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />You get to work with some incredibly talented reporters, anchors, producers, hosts and engineers.<br /><br />It's been a thrill to work with some of the people I listened and watched growing up, including John Patti, Dave Durian,&nbsp;Alan Walden, Stan Stovall, Jayne Miller, Rob Roblin, and most especially Ron Smith.&nbsp; I've said it before and I'll say it again, Ron influenced all of us who work at the "Mighty 1090," and he still has a big influence around here.<br /><br />It's also been a thrill to cover some of the political figures who were in office when I was growing up, and continue to serve today. It's been a thrill to work in press row in the Maryland State House and cover the legislature along side such journalistic icons like Lou Davis, Fraser Smith and Tom Stuckey.<br /><br />So thanks to all of the colleagues, bosses and&nbsp; sources past and present, who have made this my dream job.&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rtNvhMoHJI/U8COvO2vf-I/AAAAAAAABE4/pPTmkza_eCc/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rtNvhMoHJI/U8COvO2vf-I/AAAAAAAABE4/pPTmkza_eCc/s1600/002.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />A special thanks to my wife, Julie, who not only puts up with a husband who at times works long, crazy hours, but also finds time to send me to work with homemade baked goods for me and my freeloading colleagues.<br /><br />And a special thank you to all of have listened, called, emailed,&nbsp;or followed me on Twitter or Facebook.&nbsp; Your comments, calls, compliments, and yes criticisms, have been much appreciated.&nbsp; Like me, you trust WBAL to be a source of accurate, credible and fair news and information.&nbsp; I'm humbled to have earned that trust. It is a trust I feel I have to earn every day. It is a trust that &nbsp;I have never, and will never take for granted.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bM0SgMW0fC4/U8CPdiEcW2I/AAAAAAAABFE/3kRGSsqhUUo/s1600/ME+AT+WORK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bM0SgMW0fC4/U8CPdiEcW2I/AAAAAAAABFE/3kRGSsqhUUo/s1600/ME+AT+WORK.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div><br />The great news is that this dream job is far from over.&nbsp; I can't wait&nbsp; for my next ten years at WBAL to begin.<br /><br />So enough of this reflecting.&nbsp; I have to get back to work.<br /><br /><br />http://roblang.wbal.com/2014/07/the-first-ten.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-8809598224545926881Wed, 16 Apr 2014 20:27:00 +00002014-04-16T16:32:47.906-04:00One of Our Own on the MoundIn July, I will celebrate my 10th anniversary as a reporter and anchor on the WBAL Radio News team.<br /><br />One of the consistent things that make working at WBAL Radio my dream job, is the consistent and strong leadership running the station. <br /><br />At the top of the leadership team for the last 23 years has been Vice President and General Manager Ed Kiernan.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPzK3BSpcoo/U07iCWlG74I/AAAAAAAABCA/Bhswqsx2ho4/s1600/ED+HOLDING+BALL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPzK3BSpcoo/U07iCWlG74I/AAAAAAAABCA/Bhswqsx2ho4/s1600/ED+HOLDING+BALL.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Last week, Ed announced that this June he will retire from the station capping a 45-year career in radio.<br /><br />Ed is taking a&nbsp; well deserved victory lap of sorts, and that included an appearance at Wednesday's Orioles game, where Ed was asked to throw out the first pitch.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XcMbN3_ufg/U07iUuZhDVI/AAAAAAAABCI/mf_SqayXs7U/s1600/ED+WARMUP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XcMbN3_ufg/U07iUuZhDVI/AAAAAAAABCI/mf_SqayXs7U/s1600/ED+WARMUP.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Like his management style, Ed's style on the mound was steady, and accurate.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/up-vbwhPueo" width="400"></iframe></div>As I mentioned on the Saturday morning news this past weekend, Ed was an example of a perfect boss.&nbsp; He was someone who would give you the tools you need to do your best, and then get out of your way.&nbsp; He'd offer&nbsp; criticism when necessary, and would also offer a handshake, a smile and praise when warranted.<br /><br />He has helped launch a lot of radio careers in Baltimore, including mine.<br /><br />In introducing Ed, Orioles P.A. Announcer Ryan Wagner pointed out that the Orioles have aired on WBAL for 44 out of the last 59 seasons, and Ed's leadership has been key to the station's partnership to bring you the games.<br /><br />Good luck Ed in whatever you do in retirement.<br /><br />Let me know if Dan Duquette calls you about a spot in the bullpen.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">﻿</div>http://roblang.wbal.com/2014/04/one-of-our-own-on-mound.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-2477642097259181048Sat, 15 Feb 2014 01:10:00 +00002014-02-15T15:24:39.245-05:00UPDATE: Being the Lead StoryThere is an old adage for reporters.<br /><br />Report the news, don't be the news.<br /><br />Sometimes, circumstances get in the way of that.<br /><br />Tonight, that is the case for our friends and colleagues at our Hearst sister station WGAL-TV 8 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.<br /><br />At around 3:20 this afternoon, part of the station's roof collapsed.&nbsp; The roof was over what was once the news set that used to be off the newsroom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KH-fXY6_uF8/Uv66Oyf2WQI/AAAAAAAABBI/Q3byJJa54KQ/s1600/WGAL-Snow-on-roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KH-fXY6_uF8/Uv66Oyf2WQI/AAAAAAAABBI/Q3byJJa54KQ/s1600/WGAL-Snow-on-roof.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Thankfully, no one in the building was hurt, but the building was evacuated.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SkJTiDbmjXw/Uv66gJAjnFI/AAAAAAAABBM/GnifZmIX8LU/s1600/WGAL+OUTSIDE+TWO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SkJTiDbmjXw/Uv66gJAjnFI/AAAAAAAABBM/GnifZmIX8LU/s1600/WGAL+OUTSIDE+TWO.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />As of this writing, the station is off the air, but the team of reporters, anchors, photographers, engineers and administrators is out in the station driveway, broadcasting the evening news online.<br />Not a single newscast was missed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZCrli4CAgk/Uv661eKgYTI/AAAAAAAABBU/-QTNW6N59qM/s1600/WGAL+OUTSIDE+ONE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZCrli4CAgk/Uv661eKgYTI/AAAAAAAABBU/-QTNW6N59qM/s1600/WGAL+OUTSIDE+ONE.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wgal.com/news/susquehanna-valley/lancaster/live-wire-get-news-weather-traffic-updates-live/24491894"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a><strong> to watch WGAL's coverage.</strong><br /><br />What is amazing about the coverage is the team at WGAL isn't solely focusing on their own extraordinary story.&nbsp; They are&nbsp;also covering the aftermath of this week's&nbsp;winter storms throughout Central Pennsylvania.&nbsp; The damage is devastating.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TO32N43cNNU/Uv67aRVOL7I/AAAAAAAABBc/vElWw--HN90/s1600/WGAL+OUTSIDE+THREE.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></div><br />The story hits home for this reporter, because from December, 1994 until July, 2004, I worked at WGAL.&nbsp; My first job there &nbsp;was as a part-time overnight news update anchor where we anchored hourly news updates from the very section of the building where the roof collapsed.&nbsp; In 1999, I became a full-time reporter in the station's Harrisburg bureau, and would occasionally fill-in as a weekend news anchor from the same section where the roof collapsed.<br /><br />I have often said that while working at WBAL&nbsp;is, has&nbsp;been and&nbsp; always will be my dream job, working at WGAL was a close second.&nbsp; <br /><br />Working there, you not only learn how to do good broadcast journalism, but also about the importance of serving your community.&nbsp; The focus of everyone who works at WGAL is how to best serve their viewer.&nbsp;That does not&nbsp;change, even though their&nbsp;building is damaged. &nbsp;Just as the people in Baltimore trust WBAL&nbsp; Radio and Television, the people of Central Pennsylvania (the Susquehanna Valley as the WGAL bosses call it) trust WGAL/News 8.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgFskdYUKMM/Uv6-GbYWx2I/AAAAAAAABBo/2X8PmFn-L6s/s1600/2-14-14-live-wire-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PgFskdYUKMM/Uv6-GbYWx2I/AAAAAAAABBo/2X8PmFn-L6s/s1600/2-14-14-live-wire-image.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />I'm happy report that tonight, while their headquarters may be damaged, the men and women of&nbsp;News 8&nbsp;are out serving their community.&nbsp; This is what good broadcasters do.&nbsp; They put their own situation&nbsp; behind them, and go out and cover the news, and serve their community.&nbsp; <br /><br />It's what you expect, and I'm proud of my old team.<br /><br /><strong>UPDATE:</strong> As of Saturday afternoon, engineers installed a new support beam, and determined the WGAL building was safe.&nbsp; The station is now back on the air.&nbsp; The newscasts will begin originating from their studio on Saturday night.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wgal.com/news/susquehanna-valley/lancaster/wgal-back-up-and-running-after-roof-collapse/24502570?absolute=true&amp;utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=wgal"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a><strong> for an update from WGAL.</strong>http://roblang.wbal.com/2014/02/being-lead-story.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-7603298165324057578Tue, 07 Jan 2014 02:31:00 +00002014-01-06T21:31:54.077-05:00What's New For Session 2014It is January, and it is time for the 90-day session of the Maryland General Assembly.&nbsp; This will be the 434th session, and there are a couple of new things this year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7szNMgFlW2w/UstlJBYmkrI/AAAAAAAABAc/i3TIh8soKDw/s1600/MY+ID.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7szNMgFlW2w/UstlJBYmkrI/AAAAAAAABAc/i3TIh8soKDw/s1600/MY+ID.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />First, the reporters, lobbyists, legislative aides and state employees, all have brand spanking new ID cards for the new session.&nbsp; This year, the rules have changed to get an ID, and you must consent to a criminal background check.&nbsp; The O'Malley Administration argues this is needed in part because of increased security at the State House.&nbsp; There are skeptics who have argued that this is some kind of veiled attempt by the O'Malley Administration to keep out reporters, columnists and bloggers who have been critical of the governor.&nbsp; There were rumors that only a few reporters would get press passes, and the rest would be treated as visitors.&nbsp; These passes allow us to get into the State House and other government buildings, and onto the House and Senate floors, so we can be your eyes and ears through the lawmaking process.&nbsp; In short, these passes enable us to do our job.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBxDiArufhM/UstlX6NuM6I/AAAAAAAABAk/Q7pJ-mqNgjo/s1600/Session+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBxDiArufhM/UstlX6NuM6I/AAAAAAAABAk/Q7pJ-mqNgjo/s1600/Session+2014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Next, this will be the first time in the modern era, that the 90-day session will be taking place in the months leading up to the primary election.&nbsp; In gubernatorial election years, Maryland traditionally has held its primary in September, after Labor Day.&nbsp; This year, the primary has been moved to June 24.&nbsp; Lawmakers moved up the primary date, in part to allow members of the military to have enough time to receive and then&nbsp;&nbsp; mail back their absentee ballots.&nbsp; Senate President Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch both told me the looming primary will change the dynamic of this session.&nbsp; While lawmakers, and statewide office holders can't legally raise money during the session, they can campaign.&nbsp; Both Miller and Busch believe that a lot of lawmakers will be splitting their time between legislating and campaigning.&nbsp; Miller even called the looming primary "detrimental" to lawmaking.&nbsp; Keep in mind, there will still be about 2,500 bills introduced this year, and about a third of them, will be sent to the governor for his signature.&nbsp; Also keep in mind that one senator, and seven delegates are running for statewide office, either governor, lieutenant governor or attorney general.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbbJMxGQZdI/UstmKmoQaHI/AAAAAAAABAs/mDP5ceLUwzo/s1600/ROBATDESK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbbJMxGQZdI/UstmKmoQaHI/AAAAAAAABAs/mDP5ceLUwzo/s1600/ROBATDESK.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Between regular, and special sessions, this year marks the 16th session I've covered for WBAL. My first session, was the special session Governor Bob Ehrlich called in December, 2004, to address malpractice,&nbsp;in which the Maryland General Assembly ignored Ehrlich's request to pass tort reform. One of the veterans of the State House press corps, who has been covering Annapolis for a lot longer than me, once told me that each session has it's own dynamic.&nbsp; The last two years in Annapolis have involved Governor O'Malley, Speaker Busch, and Senate President Miller getting lawmakers to pass landmark legislation, like gun control, expanded gambling, or same sex marriage.&nbsp;This year, with the election looming, the dynamic may be different, as laewmakers worry about their own re-election and this early primary.&nbsp; We will have to&nbsp;wait and see.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGnAzsFUUuE/UstnAuqc-tI/AAAAAAAABA0/Rv3jE_0UPpE/s1600/state+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGnAzsFUUuE/UstnAuqc-tI/AAAAAAAABA0/Rv3jE_0UPpE/s1600/state+house.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></div><br />We do know, the session will start Wednesday at noon, and end at midnight on Monday, April 7.&nbsp; I'll be reporting from the State House, along with WBAL-TV's David Collins and Mac Finney.&nbsp; We'll be on air, online and on Twitter&nbsp;@wbalradio and @Reporterroblang&nbsp;&nbsp;http://roblang.wbal.com/2014/01/whats-new-for-session-2014.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-31729991411654003Thu, 19 Dec 2013 12:19:00 +00002013-12-19T07:19:46.747-05:00Two YearsAnother December 19, is here, and for us at WBAL it is a sad anniversary.<br /><br />It was on this day in 2011, that Ron Smith, "Our Voice of Reason," lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-871QeWByVqQ/UrLho_ZGaQI/AAAAAAAABAM/grhRP2ubPEQ/s1600/RON+AT+MIC+FOR+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-871QeWByVqQ/UrLho_ZGaQI/AAAAAAAABAM/grhRP2ubPEQ/s320/RON+AT+MIC+FOR+BLOG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />It seems hard to believe that it has been two years.&nbsp; The time has flown.<br /><br />I still run into people who will tell me how they miss Ron.&nbsp; They wonder what his take would be on the challenges of implmenting Obama Care, gun control, the NSA and the Ravens. They tell me how Ron was part of their ride home for so many years, and there is a certain emptiness in their day.<br /><br />I always tell his fans that Ron continues to have a big impact on all of us who work at WBAL.&nbsp; <br /><br />We hear his voice throughout the building, reminding us that we need to cover the issues fairly, and treat all sides with dignity and respect. He would also remind us not to take ourselves too seriously and have a little fun.<br /><br />I also tell his fans that there's is a very intense effort to find a way to detect pancreatic cancer early.&nbsp; It is led by Dr. Dan Laheru, Ron's doctor at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, as well Dr. Judy Whang, whi is the first Ron Smith Fellow at Hopkins.&nbsp; Her fellowship was made possible by the Friends of Ron Smith, the charity started by Ron's wife June.<br /><div align="center">﻿</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MJlzmOxyqbw" width="420"></iframe></div><br />Dr. Laheru&nbsp;told me back in September that &nbsp;establishing an endowment to fund this research is the best way, "to honor Ron's history of teaching and education."<br /><br />I've said this before and I'll say it again.&nbsp; Ron Smith is still a big influence around here.<br /><br />As I said in this blog last year, we still try to live by the words he said in his final broadcast Baltimore Sun column.<br /><br /><span style="color: #181818;"><strong><em>“What is a mere individual to do? Lead as sane and decent life as you can, love your family and your friends and understand that everybody is in this together.”</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color: #181818;"></span><br /><span style="color: #181818;">Two years &nbsp;later, Ron may be gone but his voice and influence remains, here at "The Mighty 1090."</span>http://roblang.wbal.com/2013/12/two-years.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-6665683062054176537Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:43:00 +00002013-11-27T10:04:31.203-05:00A Celebration of Religious DiversityI'm spending part of the the Thanksgiving holiday in Chicago, which is a town known for its skyscrapers, its cold weather and its food, especially the pizza.<br /><br />Around the holidays it is also known for its celebration of our nation's great religious diversity. &nbsp;The center of that celebration is Daley Plaza.<br /><br />Every year, from right before Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, Daley Plaza is the home to Chriskindlmarket. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybUWJQ1_HNQ/UpYI8UO-s-I/AAAAAAAAA_k/3pGHzcMD1TI/s1600/chicago+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybUWJQ1_HNQ/UpYI8UO-s-I/AAAAAAAAA_k/3pGHzcMD1TI/s320/chicago+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />It is not only a celebration of Christmas, but it is also a celebration of the city's great German heritage. &nbsp;There are plenty of hand crafted ornaments and other decorations on sale, along with plenty of German food. &nbsp;The smell of the brats, and the schnitzel is intoxicating. &nbsp;At the center of the market is the giant Christmas tree which was lit in a grand ceremony on Tuesday night.<br /><br />Look around the outside of Daley Plaza, you also see the celebration of other religions, and the right not to celebrate religion publicly.<br /><br />There is a giant menorah for Hanukkah along Dearborn Street. &nbsp;Chabad Lubavitch, the Jewish outreach organization, placed it there, and there's going to a big ceremony to light the menorah on Wednesday night, the first night of Hanukkah. &nbsp;Chabad Lubavitch places other menorahs around the world, including one at the Inner Harbor to mark the holiday.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAbAf1lzNv8/UpYJKsQemSI/AAAAAAAAA_s/5hEL9opGxzE/s1600/chicago+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAbAf1lzNv8/UpYJKsQemSI/AAAAAAAAA_s/5hEL9opGxzE/s320/chicago+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />There are also celebrations of the right separating church and state. &nbsp;Those are courtesy of the Freedom from Religion Foundation. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwMpmuk-nPc/UpYJaaEUjFI/AAAAAAAAA_0/GFenyKPI7II/s1600/chicago+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mwMpmuk-nPc/UpYJaaEUjFI/AAAAAAAAA_0/GFenyKPI7II/s320/chicago+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It includes a giant light up "A," which stands for Atheism, and there is a banner wishing you a "Happy Winter Solstice." &nbsp;That solstice is still less than a month away, in spite of the current weather.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTeNoF6V66g/UpYJ0cmZHYI/AAAAAAAAA_8/fpnN4mAlUBE/s1600/chicago+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTeNoF6V66g/UpYJ0cmZHYI/AAAAAAAAA_8/fpnN4mAlUBE/s320/chicago+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />What is amazing about all of this, at least on the Tuesday afternoon I visited, is that all of these displays, and all of those observing these celebrations are peacefully co-existing. &nbsp;There weren't any arguments, no animosity, just people celebrating whatever holiday their beliefs allow.http://roblang.wbal.com/2013/11/a-celebration-of-religious-diversity_27.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-4500221520031469981Tue, 01 Oct 2013 02:37:00 +00002013-09-30T22:56:02.188-04:00Thinking "Outside of the Box" on Pancreatic CancerIf there is a disease that has touched us here at WBAL more than any other, it is pancreatic cancer.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_K5Jx2nQZA/Uko1SqAV7BI/AAAAAAAAA-U/cyUOTWNpS58/s1600/RON+AT+MIC+FOR+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_K5Jx2nQZA/Uko1SqAV7BI/AAAAAAAAA-U/cyUOTWNpS58/s320/RON+AT+MIC+FOR+BLOG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />It has been nearly two years, since our friend and colleague Ron Smith announced to listeners that he was diagnosed with the advanced stages of the disease. As&nbsp;you know, about two months after his announcement, &nbsp;Ron was gone.<br /><br />Since Ron's passing, the Friends of Ron Smith has been raising money to help fund pancreatic cancer research at the <a href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/centers/pancreatic_cancer/diagnosis_screening/">Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.</a> <br /><br />The fundraising effort, led by Ron's widow June, has led to the appointment of the first ever Ron Smith Fellow in pancreatic cancer research.&nbsp; She is Dr. Judy Whang, who along with Ron's doctor at Hopkins Dr. Dan Laheru,&nbsp;lead a team of researchers to develop a new way to test for the disease.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MJlzmOxyqbw" width="400"></iframe></div><br />Unlike other forms of cancer, pancreatic cancer is an almost certain death sentence.&nbsp; More than 85% of those who are diagnosed with the disease, don't live longer than six months.&nbsp; Dr. Whang's research involves testing a patient's blood for tumor associated DNA to detect the presence of pancreatic cancer.&nbsp; <br /><br />The hope is that this research leads to an early detection system not only of pancreatic cancer, but other forms of cancer.&nbsp; <br /><br />Dr. Whang describes the research as an "out of the box" way to detect pancreatic cancer, which is now detected through an MRI or other imaging.<br /><br />Dr. Laheru says establishing an endowment to fund this research&nbsp; is the best way, "to honor Ron's history of teaching and education."<br /><br />Laheru also points out that very little, if any, federal funding is available for this research, so private donations are needed.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/our_center/charitable_giving/">CLICK HERE</a> to donate to the Kimmel Cancer Center.<br /><br />Another organization helping to fund research into detecting, treating and one day curing pancreatic cancer is the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PCAN).<br /><br />The network funds research at a number of hospitals across the country.&nbsp; It also provides support to pancreatic cancer patients and their families.<br /><br />This Sunday morning, PCAN is hosting its "Purple Stride" 5K Run/Walk.&nbsp; It begins at 8:30 a.m. in Druid Hill Park.<br /><br />I'm honored to have been asked to MC the event.&nbsp; I'll be running in Ron's memory, and most of the other runners are running either in honor of someone fighting the disease, or in memory of someone who they lost from the disease.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1071300">CLICK HERE</a> for more information on the "Purple Stride" or to donate to the cause.http://roblang.wbal.com/2013/09/thinking-outside-of-box-on-pancreatic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-1373780255716525930Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:11:00 +00002013-04-15T14:11:02.283-04:00How We Got to the "Rain Tax"You have heard a lot about the "rain tax" and how a surcharge is about to be added to your property or water bill, if you live in Baltimore City, or nine of the largest counties in the state.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zzzXZY6tQ4/UWxCpYP70VI/AAAAAAAAA98/OVv1t2aVfxg/s1600/house+aerial+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zzzXZY6tQ4/UWxCpYP70VI/AAAAAAAAA98/OVv1t2aVfxg/s320/house+aerial+400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You might think that this is something that the legislature sneaked through at the last minute, and you would be partially correct.<br /><br />The measure that authorizes this tax actually comes from a 2010 federal mandate which orders the state to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that flows into the Chesapeake Bay.&nbsp; A source of this pollution comes from rain water that runs off of any paved surface, be it a roof, a driveway, or a sidewalk.<br /><br />The O'Malley Administration and the Maryland General Assembly decided to pass onto local governments,&nbsp;the authority of&nbsp; raising the $14.8-billion needed to reduce pollution.<br /><br />Last year, the Maryland General Assembly approved HB 987, to require Baltimore City and the nine counties to collect what is officially called a "storm water management fee," or as critics like to call it a "rain tax."<br /><br />This was a House bill that the Senate amended, and then the House approved the Senate's changes on the last night of session last year.<br /> <br />All of these roll call votes seem to indicate, that all of the lawmakers voting in favor of this bill were Democrats, and all of them voting against<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null"></a> the bill were Republicans. There are a few Democrats that did vote against this measure. You'd have to look at the roll call to see how many.<br /> <br />The House initially approved the bill on March 20, 2012, by a vote of 89-49. The roll call is pasted below.<br /><br /><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?ys=2012rs/votes/house/0600.htm">CLICK HERE</a> to find out how your delegates voted on this bill on March 20, 2012.<br /> <br />The Senate made changes to the bill, and approved its version on April 6, 2012, by a vote of 33-14. <br /><br /><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?ys=2012rs/votes/senate/1413.htm">CLICK HERE</a> to find out how your state senator voted on this bill. <br /> <br />The House gave final approval to the measure on April 9, 2012, the last day of last year's regular session of the legislature, &nbsp;by a vote of 91-45.&nbsp; <br /><br /><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?ys=2012rs/votes/house/1389.htm">CLICK HERE</a> to find out how your delegates voted on this bill on the last day of the regular legislative session last year.<br /><br /> Baltimore City and the nine counties have until July 1, to pass legislation setting the tax rate in their locality.&nbsp; Each jurisdiction takes a different approach to collecting it, but the tax is based on the amount of paved surfaces on a property.<br /><br />Before this year's legislative session ended last week, the Senate passed legislation to delay the implementation of the fees for two years.&nbsp; That measure never made it through the House of Delegates.<br /><br />If you are a property owner in Baltimore City, you'll be paying this tax or fee.&nbsp; It will also be applied in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Prince George's, Montgomery.<br /><br />One other note.&nbsp; The&nbsp;passage of this bill last year did get some coverage last year from WBAL and other outlets.&nbsp; However, this story was overshadowed by coverage of the failure of the legislature last year to pass a budget on time, and the disagreement over expanding gambling.<br /><br /><a href="http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2012rs/chapters_noln/Ch_151_hb0987E.pdf">CLICK HERE</a> to read the law that establishes the "rain tax."<br /><br />http://roblang.wbal.com/2013/04/how-we-got-to-rain-tax.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-5386354916974926780Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:15:00 +00002013-04-11T19:15:34.231-04:00The Characters You Meet During the SessionIn covering a legislative session, you meet a lot of interesting people.&nbsp; Let's take a little bit of time to talk about some of the memorable people we met in covering the 2013 Session of the Maryland General Assembly.<br /><br />If there is a family that wins an award for displaying compassion, dignity and grace, as they urge lawmakers to pass a bill, it is the McComas family of Howard County.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e0BbpmLdTp8/UWdBp-S4eFI/AAAAAAAAA9E/S-mPfX0bdhg/s1600/MCCCOMAS+FAMILY+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e0BbpmLdTp8/UWdBp-S4eFI/AAAAAAAAA9E/S-mPfX0bdhg/s320/MCCCOMAS+FAMILY+400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Grace is an especially appropriate word to describe this family, because they were lobbying lawmakers for Grace.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJLVdAC1KQI/UWdB7aDygjI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/3upr0kVgiRg/s1600/GRACE+MCCOMAS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJLVdAC1KQI/UWdB7aDygjI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/3upr0kVgiRg/s320/GRACE+MCCOMAS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Grace McComas was the Howard County teenager who killed herself on Easter Sunday last year, after she had been repeatedly harassed online. Mom Christine, Dad David and their three daughters met with lawmakers,&nbsp;testified at hearings, and spoke in countless interviews to lobby for the passage of Grace's&nbsp;Law.&nbsp; It's the bill that makes harassing a minor online, also known as cyberbullying, illegal.&nbsp; Violators could face up to one year in jail.&nbsp; <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VkDHGip9K8E" width="400"></iframe></div><br />Their cause drew the attention of Ray Rice, who submitted written testimony in support of the bill.&nbsp; <br /><br />However it was the testimony of the McComas family which convinced lawmakers that this bill was needed.&nbsp; The bill passed unanimously, and now the McComas family is preparing to come back to Annapolis one more time, to watch Governor O'Malley sign the bill.<br /><br />Another lady who had a lot of grace, and class and tenacity in representing her East Baltimore district, was Delegate Hattie Harrison.&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktUR63TwM2Q/UWdClscZ35I/AAAAAAAAA9U/pswc9knivM0/s1600/HATTIE+HARRISON+IN+2011+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktUR63TwM2Q/UWdClscZ35I/AAAAAAAAA9U/pswc9knivM0/s320/HATTIE+HARRISON+IN+2011+400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />She passed away during this year's session, and she&nbsp;was &nbsp;greatly missed in the House&nbsp;chamber.<br /><br />Her successor Nita Harper told me that she has big shoes to fill.<br /><br />There are also a lot of&nbsp;rallies and demonstrations in Annapolis during the 90 day session.&nbsp; Many of the people bring signs, and other props.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some come in costume.<br /><br />My award for&nbsp;most unique costume&nbsp;goes to &nbsp;Charlie Barlow of Rockville, who came to Annapolis dressed as a wind turbine to promote the governor's offshore wind bill.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqMZyjVj4tU/UWdCtpPkI0I/AAAAAAAAA9c/v0q0v-S7twE/s1600/CHARLIE+BARLOW+WIND+TURBINE+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VqMZyjVj4tU/UWdCtpPkI0I/AAAAAAAAA9c/v0q0v-S7twE/s320/CHARLIE+BARLOW+WIND+TURBINE+400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lastly, 2013 was the session that there was a special honor for someone who is a friend and mentor to all of us&nbsp;who cover the Maryland State House.<br /><br />Lou Davis, reporter for Maryland Public Television, got a special honor last month at an Annapolis institution.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrMPWGU5r_E/UWdC3kkGpnI/AAAAAAAAA9k/n-3w2_PKtvw/s1600/LOU+CHICK+AND+RUTHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrMPWGU5r_E/UWdC3kkGpnI/AAAAAAAAA9k/n-3w2_PKtvw/s320/LOU+CHICK+AND+RUTHS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />"Chick and Ruth's Delly" unveiled a menu item named after Lou.&nbsp; If you go to the Annapolis institution and order a Lou Davis, you will get lox, eggs and onions.&nbsp; He is the first journalist to be honored with a menu item.<br /><br />You should know, that Lou's career spans 50 years including work as a correspondent for NBC News, and more than 20 years as a State House correspondent for WMAR-TV.&nbsp; <br /><br />House Speaker Michael Busch used to hand out tongue-in-cheek awards to reporters after each session.&nbsp; The broadcast awards were named "Louie Awards" after Lou Davis.&nbsp; A few years ago, this reporter received one, and it is an honor I cherish.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bY6nhfsSFtY/UWdDFYKQJ1I/AAAAAAAAA9s/kixCx-KC5v0/s1600/ME+SPEAKER+BUSCH+AND+LOU+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bY6nhfsSFtY/UWdDFYKQJ1I/AAAAAAAAA9s/kixCx-KC5v0/s320/ME+SPEAKER+BUSCH+AND+LOU+400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>http://roblang.wbal.com/2013/04/the-characters-you-meet-during-session.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-426410228156935361Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:21:00 +00002013-04-11T18:21:56.460-04:00Thoughts On a Session Gone ByThe 2013 Session of the Maryland General Assembly was the 15th regular or special legislative session that I have covered for WBAL.&nbsp; Now that the session is over, let's pause for a few reflections.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfOczLTdqqo/UWc2NVWDXUI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/sWKfMidKV-4/s1600/house+aerial+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wfOczLTdqqo/UWc2NVWDXUI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/sWKfMidKV-4/s320/house+aerial+400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You can decide for yourself if the legislature was productive in its 90 day session this year. I can tell you I have never seen this Maryland legislature tackle so many controversial issues in one session. In past years a single issue dominates the 90 day session.&nbsp; In 2011 and then in 2012, the first two-thirds of the session was dominated by same sex marriage.&nbsp; In previous years, it was the death penalty repeal, or offshore wind energy.&nbsp; <br /><br />This year, the legislature approved a gas tax increase, gun control, a death penalty repeal, offshore wind energy, and around 800 pieces of legislation.&nbsp; <br /><br />There is all kinds of speculation, as to why the legislature approved so many bills addressing "hot button issues."&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eY_aAEVzhJ8/UWc2ixEvvCI/AAAAAAAAA8s/8HM2f6quviY/s1600/ME+AND+OMALLEY+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eY_aAEVzhJ8/UWc2ixEvvCI/AAAAAAAAA8s/8HM2f6quviY/s320/ME+AND+OMALLEY+400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />There of course is Governor Martin O'Malley's attempt to appeal to a Democratic base for a run for a possible run for president.&nbsp;&nbsp;In our interview this week, the&nbsp;governor was non-committal in answering questions about that, saying what you might expect a potential candidate for president might say.&nbsp; He'll eventually think about what to do next, but for now he is concentrating on his current job.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ialM73NgZ64/UWc2uJs5hJI/AAAAAAAAA80/1MkJ7zoEMuA/s1600/MIKE+MILLER+400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ialM73NgZ64/UWc2uJs5hJI/AAAAAAAAA80/1MkJ7zoEMuA/s320/MIKE+MILLER+400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Some would also say that Senate President Mike Miller was allowing these issues to be debated, because O'Malley called the special session last year to expand gambling to include National Harbor in Prince George's County, one of his priorities. <br /><br />The biggest motivator for lawmakers to tackle all of these issues was the clock.&nbsp; After two special sessions last year, the governor, Miller and House Speaker Michael Busch were determined to have the General Assembly finish all of its work by midnight Monday.&nbsp; No one wanted a special session.&nbsp; There were lawmakers from both parties resenting the fact that they were called back to Annapolis twice last year. First, in May to approve income tax hikes tied to the budget.&nbsp; Then in August, for gambling.<br /><br />If lawmakers were going to tackle these issues, they had to do it in the 90 day period ending Monday.&nbsp; There would be no special session this year.&nbsp; Lawmakers would also not consider any of these issues next year, as they face re-election.&nbsp; If they were going to take the tough votes, they were going to do it now.&nbsp; http://roblang.wbal.com/2013/04/thoughts-on-session-gone-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-5683549553817899380Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:57:00 +00002013-01-21T22:57:18.553-05:00Number 4Admittedly, working this past Saturday covering the death of Earl Weaver was difficult.<br /><br />I think it was difficult for a lot of us Orioles fans of a certain age. If you were a kid in Baltimore from the late '60's through early '80's, Earl Weaver's Baltimore Orioles were part of your summers.<br /><br />If you were lucky enough to have a birthday in the spring or summer, a trip to Memorial Stadium to watch Earl Weaver and the Orioles was the place you and your family could celebrate. You'd see Earl in the dugout, animated, flailing his arms reacting to the action on the field. If you were lucky enough, there would be a disputed call at the plate, and Earl would storm out of the dugout, cap turned backward and engaged in a long, foul mouthed argument with an umpire. You couldn't hear the words, but you know what was saying, and you cheered. It was the same if you were watching the games on TV or listening on the radio. As one of the fans who visited Earl's statue at Camden Yards Saturday, "Earl made baseball in Baltimore fun."<br /><br />All of us, who went to the statue on Saturday felt with Earl's passing you lost part of your childhood. <br /><br />Earl's competitiveness, his passion to win, and his devotion to his players and his team, helped define Orioles Baseball. Many believe Buck Showater is a manager in Earl's mold.<br /><br />At WBAL, we occasionally have governors, mayors, athletes, and actors pass through our hallways. Something was different about the visits Earl made to our station. People mobbed Earl, as is he were a rock star. People just wanted to shake his hand, and get their picture taken with him. I remember telling Earl that I learned how to yell at people watching him argue with umpires. We both laughed.<br />Earl Weaver though helped make our childhood summers memorable, and helped cemented our love for baseball.<br /><br />Thanks Earl. I can imagine right now you're in the dugout, watching over Mike Flanagan, Elrod Hendricks and Mark Belanger. I can imagine Chuck Thompson and Bill O'Donnell describing your antics, and I can imagine you're waiting to argue with Ron Luciano.<br /><br />And the angels are probably cheering.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/swVF315Mlxg" width="400"></iframe><br />http://roblang.wbal.com/2013/01/number-4.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-2146285215523401227Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:31:00 +00002012-12-31T10:31:40.627-05:00An Update On Mrs. M.We covered a lot of memorable stories in 2012, and as the year ends, let me give you an update on one of them.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVBSNCWkzCo/UOGulsJKB3I/AAAAAAAAA7g/Ji5jEhimUs4/s1600/MRS+M+275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVBSNCWkzCo/UOGulsJKB3I/AAAAAAAAA7g/Ji5jEhimUs4/s320/MRS+M+275.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br />Back in May, we told you the story of Anne Mekalian, who was a third grade teacher at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen School.&nbsp; Her hands and feet were amputated after she developed sepsis.&nbsp; The illness left her unable to work and unable to drive.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wbal.com/article/89601/21/template-story/Students-Launch-Driving-Mrs-M-"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a><strong> to see our original story.</strong><br /><br />Some of her former students started a campaign to raise money to help pay for driving lessons, and a specially equipped car &nbsp;for Mrs. M. They also sent her hundreds of get well letters. They all wanted her to get back to work.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YAryrbCQHA/UOGus06ZV9I/AAAAAAAAA7o/Yq7KJb-0AzU/s1600/LETTERS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YAryrbCQHA/UOGus06ZV9I/AAAAAAAAA7o/Yq7KJb-0AzU/s320/LETTERS.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br />At year's end, their efforts have raised more than $32,000.&nbsp; They raised money through an online Give Forward page, by selling pizza cards, and holding a variety of events including a fundraiser and silent auction in September.&nbsp; The money the kids raised enabled Mrs. M. to take driving lessons, and ultimately get her driver's license.&nbsp; The kids are now trying to raise another $20,000 to buy Mrs. M. a car that they can fit with the equipment that will enable Mekalian to drive.&nbsp; The kids are launching a letter writing campaign to Ellen Degeneres, to see if the talk show host wants to help.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PVlajVC4sas" width="400"></iframe></div><br />One of the students who organized the campaign also received some honors.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCJwSZhbKvg/UOGu-zFS2cI/AAAAAAAAA7w/yn-LZFHveHA/s1600/KIDS+AT+COMPUTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCJwSZhbKvg/UOGu-zFS2cI/AAAAAAAAA7w/yn-LZFHveHA/s1600/KIDS+AT+COMPUTER.jpg" /></a></div><br />In November, Casey Brown, one of the kids pictured above, received the 2012 Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.&nbsp; Mekalian attended the luncheon as Casey accepted the award.<br /><br />Mekalian continues physical therapy, and is hoping to come back to work soon .<br /><br />The kids are continuing to raise money for Mekalian's car&nbsp;through the Driving Mrs. M. Facebook page. They are also accepting donations by mail. They can be sent&nbsp;to Mrs. Anne Mekalian, P.O. Box 14, Joppa, MD&nbsp; 21085.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /></div>http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/12/an-update-on-mrs-m.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-7387045772680122703Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:22:00 +00002012-12-19T21:36:00.819-05:00One Year Later......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sW7In1z79NA/UNHNCb5iTcI/AAAAAAAAA64/gYKlsWXDMnA/s1600/Ron-Smith-photo10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sW7In1z79NA/UNHNCb5iTcI/AAAAAAAAA64/gYKlsWXDMnA/s320/Ron-Smith-photo10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It is an anniversary that leaves us at WBAL feeling empty.<br /><br />One year ago tonight, our friend, colleague and "Voice of Reason" Ron Smith lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.<br /><br />We have been thinking a lot about June and the rest of the family. We really admire June's strength and how she is working to preserve Ron's legacy and raise money for pancreatic cancer research.<br /><br />Ron Smith would not want us to make a big deal of this anniversary.<br /><br />We were never the story in Ron's world.<br /><br />However, Ron's many fans who say WBAL has not been the same without Ron need to know a few things.<br /><br />Know that we&nbsp;still &nbsp;hear Ron's voice.<br /><br />We hear Ron&nbsp;opining about fiscal cliffs, elections, special sessions, speed cameras and the roller coaster that has been this Ravens' season.<br /><br />We still hear Ron offering opinions on books, music and movies.&nbsp; I have a feeling he'd love "Lincoln."<br /><br />How we wish Ron was on duty last Friday, as the news of the massacre in Connecticut was breaking.&nbsp; Ron had the amazing talent of sorting out information, and keeping everyone calm in the midst of a crisis.&nbsp; The great anchors instinctively know how to do that.<br /><br />We hear Ron admonishing us to make sure every side of any issue is heard and treated with respect.<br /><br />In covering the debates on gun control and other issues that have arisen in recent days, we are trying to cover them the way Ron would, with fairness, accuracy and civility.<br /><br />June and the rest of Ron's family and many fans need to know that Ron Smith is still a big influence around here.<br /><br />We try to live by the words he said in his final broadcast Baltimore Sun column.<br /><br /><span style="color: #181818;"><strong><em>“What is a mere individual to do? Lead as sane and decent life as you can, love your family and your friends and understand that everybody is in this together.”</em></strong></span><br /><span style="color: #181818;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br /><span style="color: #181818;">One year later, Ron may be gone but his voice and influence remains, here at "The Mighty 1090."</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/12/one-year-later.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-148734618192748970Sun, 11 Nov 2012 18:24:00 +00002012-11-11T13:27:37.908-05:00Clearing the Desk....Now that Superstorm Sandy has moved out of Maryland, and the election has passed, time to clear the news desk of some items you may have missed.<br /><br /><strong>1. Team Reason</strong><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J8un1eLbBi0" width="400"></iframe><br /></div><br /><br />Two weeks ago, as the storm was about to hit Maryland, Team Reason hosted a bull roast at Martin's West.&nbsp; The group made up of friends of Ron Smith has raised $250,000 towards pancreatic cancer treatment and research&nbsp; at Johns Hopkins.&nbsp; My Dad and I attended the bull roast, and got to spend some time with June Smith. It has been one year since our friend and colleague Ron Smith announced his diagnosis, and started the short battle that he would ultimately lose.<br />Ron was on the minds of a lot of people who attended the bull roast, and a lot of us who were covering Election Night.&nbsp; Both June and Patrick Hart who started Team Reason are amazed at the response their efforts have received.&nbsp; They are promising Team Reason's work will continue, and there will be more events in 2013.<br /><br /><strong>2. The Eagles Return</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ic4dko2iL7o" width="400"></iframe></div><br />Just days after the storm passed, an assignement took me to the Conowingo Dam, and Shure's Landing which is just below the Conowingo Dam.&nbsp; This is a beautiful spot to hike and fish, and observe bald eagles, who have begun their migration south.&nbsp; You can see hundreds of eagles nesting in this area through November and December.&nbsp; Shure's Landing is a favorite spot for bird watchers and photographers including WBAL's Bill Vanko.&nbsp; Shure's Landing is on property owned by Exelon Energy who operates the dam. It &nbsp;is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk. It &nbsp;is worth the trip north.<br /><br /><strong>3. Election Numbers</strong><br /><br />It is always interesting after the election to see the county-by-county breakdown of votes.&nbsp; <br /><br />Looking at the breakdown, for Question 7, the measure to expand gambling, we find the measure passed in Prince George's County, where a sixth casino would be located.&nbsp; <br /><br /><strong><a href="http://elections.state.md.us/elections/2012/results/general/gen_detail_qresults_2012_4_0007S-.html">CLICK HERE</a> to see the county-by-county vote for Question 7.</strong><br /><br />The measure had the backing of Senate President Mike Miller, whose district includes part of Prince George's County, plus the current and former county executives, Rushern Baker and Wayne Curry.&nbsp; It also passed in Baltimore City, Allegany County and Worcester County.&nbsp;All three jurisdictions have casinos which would get table games as a result of Question 7.&nbsp; It did not pass in Anne Arundel County and Cecil County which both have casinos.&nbsp; Anne Arundel County is the home of Maryland Live which is the casino closest to the Prince Geroge's County site, and stands to lose the most from the competition.&nbsp; Cecil County is the home to the Hollywood Casino, owned by Penn National which spent more than $40-million to defeat the question.&nbsp; Penn&nbsp; National is backing a court challenge to the vote, but if the results stand both casinos will get a big tax break once the new casino opens in 2016.<br /><br />For the record, Question 7 was also approved by a majority of voters in Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, St. Mary's Washington and Wicomico Counties.&nbsp; Every other county defeated the question, including Baltimore County.<br /><br />As for Question 6, the measure legalizing smae sex marriage, the measure passed in counties where there are the largest number of Democratic voters.&nbsp; <br /><br /><a href="http://elections.state.md.us/elections/2012/results/general/gen_detail_qresults_2012_4_0006S-.html"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a><strong> to see the county-by-county vote for Question 6.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />The exception was in Prince George's County where the measure was defeated by less than 4,400 votes.&nbsp; Prince George's County was a battleground for both sides of the issue.&nbsp; The opposition led by African-American church leaders was based there, and a number of lawmakers from Prince Geroge's County voted against the same sex marriage legislation.&nbsp; Question 6 passed in Baltimore City, plus Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Howard and Montgomery Counties.&nbsp; With the exception of Frederick County, the measure passed in counties where Demcoratic voters outnumber Repuiblcian voters.&nbsp; In Frederick County, the measure passed by about 1,600 votes.<br /><br />http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/11/clearing-desk.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-5875172008493840451Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:18:00 +00002012-10-15T11:18:06.031-04:00The Passing of a Memorable CharacterArlen Specter was one of the most memorable politicians, and memorable characters, that&nbsp;I've covered in over 26 years in broadcast journalism.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lC_OaNG-jzE/UHwnRSfDg_I/AAAAAAAAA5w/Ieu-JYdRM0g/s1600/specteratpodium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lC_OaNG-jzE/UHwnRSfDg_I/AAAAAAAAA5w/Ieu-JYdRM0g/s320/specteratpodium.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />In fact, I have talked about him on this blog back in 2009, when the Republican senator from Pennsylvania switched parties and joined the Democrats.&nbsp; <br /><br /><a href="http://roblang.wbal.com/2009_04_01_archive.html"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a><strong> to read my April 28, 2009 blog post on Sen. Arlen Specter.</strong><br /><br />He did it, to help pass the Obama Administration's economic stimulus and health care reform bills.&nbsp; He also admitted he did, because he thought it would be easier for him to get re-elected.<br /><br />I covered Specter for 15 years, and never once did I hear him regret anything he did in his long public career.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aS3zrdkoCdY" width="420"></iframe></div><br />He believed that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in killing President John F. Kennedy, and authored the single bullet theory as the lead attorney on the Warren Commission.<br /><br />Specter defended that decision right up to the end, as he couldn't hold a town meeting without someone asking him about it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVukyvJ4cwI/UHwnahhzB_I/AAAAAAAAA54/I8ibNrgiWPE/s1600/judgebork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fVukyvJ4cwI/UHwnahhzB_I/AAAAAAAAA54/I8ibNrgiWPE/s320/judgebork.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Specter believed that Judge Robert Bork was in his views too much of an extremist to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp; He also believed in a woman's right to choose to have an abortion, and he believed that the Senate had no legal precedent to convict President Clinton after he was impeached in 1998.&nbsp; Specter cited Scottish law at the time, and voted against conviction.&nbsp; All of those moves angered Republicans.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rIQOVFa5H2I" width="420"></iframe></div><br />Specter also believed Professor Anita Hill was lying when she accused&nbsp; then U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment.&nbsp; There are Democratic women who never forgave him for that.&nbsp; Democrats also never forgave Specter for supporting tax cuts in both Bush Administrations, and for supporting the Iraq War.&nbsp; Ultimately, that background cost him the Democratic nomination in 2010, and it led to his failed bid for re-election as an independent in the fall of that year.<br /><br />Arlen Specter never apologized for the positions he took, even if it put him at odds with his own party.&nbsp; You had to admire his conviction.&nbsp; This was not a man who changed his views based on the polls.&nbsp; He might change parties, but never his mind.&nbsp; Ultimately, changing parties cost him his job.<br /><br />I wrote in 2009 that I had never seen a politician work a room better than Arlen Specter.&nbsp; I still believe that.&nbsp; Cover an event with Arlen Specter and he'd shake your hand, and ask how you are doing.&nbsp; He would also shake the hand of every reporter, photographer, spectator, and anyone else in the room.&nbsp; He'd even shake the hand of the janitor sweeping the floor in the hallway outside.<br /><br />I remember covering Specter on the eve of the 2004 primary, where he was locked in a tight race with Republican Pat Toomey, who would win Specter's seat in 2010.&nbsp; I was a television reporter at the time, I was covering back-to-back Specter and Toomey news conferences at Harrisburg International Airport.&nbsp; Specter came in, shook all the hands in the room, answered questions, and made a plea for votes.&nbsp; An hour later, Toomey walked into the same room, stood at a podium, answered questions for 20 minutes, and then left.&nbsp; Afterwards, my photographer noted that Toomey seemed arrogant, and stand offish.&nbsp; Specter seemed friendly and outgoing.&nbsp; I remember telling my photographer, " Joe , there is a reason Specter shakes all of those hands.&nbsp; People remember that, and it gets him re-elected."&nbsp; Those handshakes,&nbsp;did get&nbsp;Arlen Specter elected all of those years.<br /><br />With the passing of Arlen Specter, comes the passing of a moderate.&nbsp; One who would work towards compromise.<br /><br />In his last book,&nbsp;"Life Among the Cannibals," which was published earlier this year, Specter lamented the passing of moderation in politics.<br /><br />These words do sum up who Arlen Specter was, and offers some insight into why he took the positions he did.<br /><br />"The rise of political extremism in recent decades&nbsp;poses a new or amplified threat to the United States.&nbsp; The fringes have displaced tolerance with purity tests and continue purging centrists, with senators campaigning against colleagues and even caucus mates in what seems a cannibalistic frenzy," &nbsp;Specter wrote.<br /><br />"The word 'extremism' is no longer sufficiently extreme to describe what's going on.&nbsp; The quest for ideological purity is destroying comity and compromise, and bringing our government-literally-to a standstill."<br /><br /><br />http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/10/the-passing-of-memorable-character.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-802589771188355494Mon, 08 Oct 2012 22:30:00 +00002012-10-08T18:30:19.909-04:00All the Right MovesMuch has been written and discussed about the turn around the Orioles have made this year.&nbsp; <br /><br />It has shown that Buck Showalter, Dan Duquette and the entire organization have made the right moves on the field.<br /><br />Equally important are the moves the team has made off the field<br /><br />We saw one of those moves Sunday night, the opening night of the American League Division Series.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuWbPZRSetA/UHNTSk5kftI/AAAAAAAAA5A/AjS2RAi-I9Y/s1600/Jesse-Wasmer-Orioles-game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuWbPZRSetA/UHNTSk5kftI/AAAAAAAAA5A/AjS2RAi-I9Y/s320/Jesse-Wasmer-Orioles-game.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by Jesse Wasmer and Daniel Borowy.<br /><br />Wasmer, you will recall, was the guidance counselor who subdued the teenage gunman who opened fire in the cafeteria of Perry Hall High School, back in August.&nbsp; Borowy was the 17-year-old student who was wounded.&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oC1vE1FfPo/UHNTXRFN_4I/AAAAAAAAA5I/QTQZEOpDyuU/s1600/Daniel-Borowy-Orioles-ALDS-game-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2oC1vE1FfPo/UHNTXRFN_4I/AAAAAAAAA5I/QTQZEOpDyuU/s320/Daniel-Borowy-Orioles-ALDS-game-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The ceremony brought all 47,000 fans to their feet, and there were few if any dry eyes in the house.&nbsp; <br /><br />The one complaint you heard about the ceremony is that it was not televised.&nbsp; TBS, which was broadcasting the game, continued its rain delay programming.&nbsp; Joe Angel and Fred Manfra did bring you the ceremony on WBAL Radio.<br /><br />Everyone who saw this ceremony though it was a wonderful gesture on the part of the team.<br /><br />Another "right move" came Sunday morning in Sparks.<br /><br />Nick Markakis, recovering from his broken thumb, came out in a cold rain to sign autographs and greet runners in the Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk.&nbsp; For those unfamiliar with Casey Cares, this is the charity started by Casey Baynes that grants wishes to critically ill children.&nbsp; It could be anything from a special trip, to meeting a favorite athlete.&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mz19F7YOJVQ/UHNToP3qP2I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/XgE0NZPWBsk/s1600/NICK+MARKAKIS+SIGNING+AUTOGRAPHS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mz19F7YOJVQ/UHNToP3qP2I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/XgE0NZPWBsk/s1600/NICK+MARKAKIS+SIGNING+AUTOGRAPHS.jpg" /></a></div><br />What was noteworthy about this event, was Nick Markakis never strived to be the center of attention at this event.&nbsp; He stood at the side, in the rain, shaking hands and posing for pictures.<br /><br />Orioles players do spend as much time as possible during the season, appearing at various events, promoting causes, and helping the community.&nbsp; <br /><br />Due to the Orioles record over the last 15 years, these efforts don't get a lot of attention, but these efforts show this is a team that cares about Baltimore and its people.<br /><br />These efforts do show that the Orioles continue to make the right moves on and off the field, and we as fans are better for it.http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/10/all-right-moves.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-3382255824967865361Sat, 06 Oct 2012 01:28:00 +00002012-10-08T09:46:05.645-04:00Debate NotesI want to take a moment to thank my colleagues at Patch.com for hosting a party where people could watch the presidential debate on Wednesday night.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkHxRi8_zPk/UG-JH39TxxI/AAAAAAAAA4g/yJuThetzQZw/s1600/PEOPLE+WATCHING+DEBATE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TkHxRi8_zPk/UG-JH39TxxI/AAAAAAAAA4g/yJuThetzQZw/s1600/PEOPLE+WATCHING+DEBATE.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />About a dozen people gathered in a room at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Owings Mills to watch the debate.&nbsp; While the rest of the bar was watching the Orioles-Rays finale, these people were watching the debate, but one of the televisions in the room was showing baseball.<br /><br />When I was a television reporter, covering these stories&nbsp;was a bit awkward.&nbsp; After all, we were showing video of people watching TV, and then talking about what they saw.&nbsp; Not very compelling video.<br /><br />From watching the debate, we could draw a few conclusions.<br /><br />Everyone in the room seemed to be committed to a candidate, and the debate didn't change anyone's mind.<br /><br />A number of the Democrats acknowledged that Mitt Romney had a very good night in the debate, but President Obama still had their vote.&nbsp; The Republican voters said Romney's performance changes the race.&nbsp; In a sense, the reaction from both sides is predictable.<br /><br />A number of the viewers did not like Jim Lehrer's performance as moderator.&nbsp; This was the 12th&nbsp;debate moderated by the veteran PBS anchor.&nbsp; He is one of the best at it, as he always stresses that the candidates should be the center of attention not the moderator.&nbsp; <br /><br />He defended his performance in an interview with Gail Shister of <a href="http://tvnewser.com/">TVNewser.com</a>.<br /><br />“Everybody is welcome to criticize my questions, or anything else I did,” Lehrer, 78, told Shister. <br /><br />“I have no problem with that. I knew, going in, this was not going to be easy. What the hell. … The next debate, people will tweet, tweet, tweet all over again. That’s terrific.”<br /><br />Lehrer pointed out this was a new format for the debate, where there were 15-minute segments that let the candidates talk to each other.<br /><br />“The format worked,” he told Shister. “These guys were really talking to each other. Presidential candidates had never done that before. People, including the candidates, and including me, were used to a more controlled format, with two-minute answers.<br /><br />“I played a different role than in the past. I was still the moderator, but it was a different kind of debate. I understand why people were a little stunned by some it. Over time, they’ll get used to it, and realize it works.”<br /><br />Having moderated my share of local and statewide debates over the years, I have no problems letting the candidates seem in control, and neither does Jim Lehrer.&nbsp; <br /><br />After all, this is about the candidates talking to the voters, and not about us in the media.<br /><br />One other note on the debate.<br /><br />Gov. Romney pointed out during the debate that Massachusetts was number one when it came to education.&nbsp; That statement led to gasps by some in our viewing room.&nbsp;&nbsp; After all, over the last four years, Governor O'Malley has stressed Maryland&nbsp;&nbsp;tops the rankings&nbsp;in education, according to "Education Week" magazine.<br /><br />As my&nbsp;Patch colleague, and Maryland Morning News contributor Bryan Sears points out, it turns out Maryland tops Massachusetts in four of the six categories measured by "Education Week."&nbsp; Massachusetts is top in the remaining two categories.&nbsp;&nbsp;Maryland has a slightly higher overall score.<br /><br />One other note on watching debate, we are always looking for places where Democrats and Republicans gather and can watch a debate and&nbsp;discuss it.&nbsp; If you know of a good debate watching party, email me at <a href="mailto:rlang@hearst.com">rlang@hearst.com</a>, or @Reporterroblang on Twitter.<br /><br />The next debate is the vice presidential debate on Thursday.<br /><br />http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/10/debate-notes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-5133150911177208848Mon, 01 Oct 2012 15:43:00 +00002012-10-01T11:43:11.082-04:00The Running SummerAs mentioned in a previous post, earlier this year after a roughly 15 year layoff, I started running again.<br /><br />My training started back in the winter, so that I could&nbsp; complete the Fiesta 5K for the Packard Center's ALS research.&nbsp; It was held back in May.&nbsp; &nbsp;It's the run that honors the Ravens' O.J. Brigance.&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGji3rUemws/UGm2qWrh8NI/AAAAAAAAA3A/zEWgWBLZUV4/s1600/OJ+WITH+TOWSON+PLAYERS+FOR+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGji3rUemws/UGm2qWrh8NI/AAAAAAAAA3A/zEWgWBLZUV4/s320/OJ+WITH+TOWSON+PLAYERS+FOR+BLOG.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br />After meeting O.J., and a lot of other inspiring people, I decided that doing at least one 5K a month could be a great way to stay fit, and help out some worthy causes.&nbsp; Plus, if you know you are going to be running in one of these events, it motivates you to get out of bed in the morning and run, or go to the gym, because you want to stay in shape.<br /><br />As of this writing, I have done six 5K runs, and have planned to do three more in the next couple of months.&nbsp; So far, I've had the chance to run in some unique places.<br /><br />The most unique run occurred last month, when I joined about 900 others in running through the Fort McHenry Tunnel.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3JfZYwu2Yyw" width="400"></iframe></div><br />This was the annual "Tunnel Run," hosted by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.&nbsp; It benefits Special Olympics of Maryland.&nbsp; As you would in a car, you have to stay in your lane to run through a tunnel.&nbsp; The echo inside the tunnel is amazing, and at this event you also got to meet some very inspiring Special Olympic athletes.<br /><br />Another very moving run, also took place last month.&nbsp; It was the "Run to Remember" and it is run on or close to the 9/11 anniversary.&nbsp; It is a fundraiser for the Baltimore City Police and Fire Foundations, which benefit the widows and children of fallen police and firefighters.&nbsp; It also honors those who died on 9/11.&nbsp; You get to run by the 9/11 Memorial at Baltimore's World Trade Center, which because of its location, a lot of people pass by.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5TQzY8ZJE0/UGm24u7VjqI/AAAAAAAAA3I/K4UE5lHq2yY/s1600/MARYLAND+911+MEMORIAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5TQzY8ZJE0/UGm24u7VjqI/AAAAAAAAA3I/K4UE5lHq2yY/s320/MARYLAND+911+MEMORIAL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You also get the thrill and challenge of running up Federal Hill.&nbsp; The pain is worth it because of the view at the top.&nbsp; I also now know why people who live in Federal Hill are in such great shape.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWFqKyIrCck/UGm2_z50ePI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/KcYgaVq0kTM/s1600/CITY+FROM+ATOP+FEDERAL+HILL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWFqKyIrCck/UGm2_z50ePI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/KcYgaVq0kTM/s320/CITY+FROM+ATOP+FEDERAL+HILL.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />There are also two other places I ran this summer that were pretty cool.<br /><br />The first is the Ocean City Boardwalk.&nbsp; It's flat, and about 2 miles from end to end.&nbsp; At the end of your run, stop at the bench around 19th Street.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QtAd3CfDKU/UGm3K-S9MmI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/W7qYc-_L3uY/s1600/JOHN+KELLERMAN+SIGN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QtAd3CfDKU/UGm3K-S9MmI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/W7qYc-_L3uY/s320/JOHN+KELLERMAN+SIGN.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br />It's the John Kellerman III bench.&nbsp; John lost a battle to cancer several years ago.&nbsp; His family said that John loved Ocean City and loved talking to people on the Boardwalk.&nbsp; They have placed a notebook, called John's Journal, where people can leave behind messages, poems, or stories.&nbsp; Some of the messages are quite moving.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ThjZ2UMLFPM/UGm3Y_HBhdI/AAAAAAAAA3g/CZ4_ZJRWTKA/s1600/JOHNS+JOURNAL+OUTSIDE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ThjZ2UMLFPM/UGm3Y_HBhdI/AAAAAAAAA3g/CZ4_ZJRWTKA/s320/JOHNS+JOURNAL+OUTSIDE.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />Finally, if you want to reenact a famous movie scene, take a trip to Philadelphia, and run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum.&nbsp; Yes, the theme from "Rocky" plays in your head.&nbsp; At the top of the steps you get to see a cool view of Philadelphia's skyline with Fairmont Park, and various museums.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RjhFwE_t7wQ/UGm30-dVyiI/AAAAAAAAA3o/2ULuCgDgrmw/s1600/PHILLY+ART+MUSEUM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RjhFwE_t7wQ/UGm30-dVyiI/AAAAAAAAA3o/2ULuCgDgrmw/s320/PHILLY+ART+MUSEUM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rcoPu9I0dM/UGm36pCvgdI/AAAAAAAAA3w/jEcocXHj0Yo/s1600/PHILLY+FROM+ART+MUSEUM+STEPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8rcoPu9I0dM/UGm36pCvgdI/AAAAAAAAA3w/jEcocXHj0Yo/s320/PHILLY+FROM+ART+MUSEUM+STEPS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />If you saw Rocky III, please note that you will not see the statue of Rocky Balboa at the top of the steps, even though it was unveiled there in movie.&nbsp; The statue is now at the bottom of the steps.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMw-lkNokzo/UGm4DnNXBVI/AAAAAAAAA34/cPNY2igsDYg/s1600/ROCKY+STATUE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMw-lkNokzo/UGm4DnNXBVI/AAAAAAAAA34/cPNY2igsDYg/s320/ROCKY+STATUE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />For this reporter, the running will continue.&nbsp; There are plenty of causes to support, and plenty of places to run.&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8GJdb6bmwUM/UGm4MDLtHFI/AAAAAAAAA4A/1rqyWjC_Jhc/s1600/ME+AFTER+RACE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8GJdb6bmwUM/UGm4MDLtHFI/AAAAAAAAA4A/1rqyWjC_Jhc/s320/ME+AFTER+RACE.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><br />If you know of any unique places to run, feel free to email me at &nbsp;<a href="mailto:rlang@hearst.com">rlang@hearst.com</a> , or message me @Reporterroblang on Twitter. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">﻿</div>http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/10/the-running-summer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-1947226870098022707Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:54:00 +00002012-09-28T09:54:55.546-04:00Never Forgotten <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With Yom Kippur concluding at sundown this past Wednesday, the High Holy Day Period has ended for Jews around the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is a ten day period of personal reflection, asking God for forgiveness for your sins for the past year, and it is believed that God seals your fate for the coming year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is also a time where you remember those who have lost. You are supposed to pay a visit to the graves of family members during this period.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMpBpG8j2Ug/UGWqnMxCTlI/AAAAAAAAA2g/m76wNhv1uq4/s1600/PROCESSION.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMpBpG8j2Ug/UGWqnMxCTlI/AAAAAAAAA2g/m76wNhv1uq4/s320/PROCESSION.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span>&nbsp;</div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The family, friends and former colleagues of Baltimore City Police Officer Ira Weiner made such a visit this past Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>There was a special ceremony to mark Ira’s 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>Yahrtzeit, the anniversary of his death.<o:p></o:p></span><br /> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we reported, Weiner was shot and killed responding to a standoff in West Baltimore, 20 years ago this month. The suspect, Louis Thomas, attacked Weiner with an ice pick, grabbed his gun and shot him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Minutes later, other officers arriving on the scene shot and killed Thomas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wbal.com/article/94148/template-story/Officer-Ira-Weiner-Remembered-20-Years-Later">CLICK HERE</a> to read more about Officer Ira Weiner</span></strong><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Weiner’s father Murray requested the ceremony, so that his friends and colleagues in law enforcement would not forget him. Members of the Shomrim Society, a fraternal group of Jewish law enforcement officers, organized the event.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndlXoLpsQSA/UGWqwKaOodI/AAAAAAAAA2o/tykdmfZIod8/s1600/CEREMONY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndlXoLpsQSA/UGWqwKaOodI/AAAAAAAAA2o/tykdmfZIod8/s320/CEREMONY.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Major Cliff McWhite, who is the commander of the Western District where Weiner worked, spoke at Sunday’s ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>McWhite never knew Ira Weiner, but says he is still learning from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>McWhite says Weiner’s devotion to the people in the neighborhoods he patrolled, and to his fellow officer<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>was inspiring.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A number of officers noted that Weiner was killed in a row house on Mulberry Street, because he went into the house without waiting for backup officers to respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Terry Hendrickson, who was one of those backup officers that day, later became an instructor for the Baltimore City Police.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>At the service, he noted that young officers are now instructed to wait for backup, unless someone’s life is in immediate danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Hendrickson did note that even with backup officers responding, sometimes lives are lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He pointed out that the officers who responded fought the suspect for 12 minutes, before he was finally shot and killed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Other officers remembered an outgoing, gregarious colleague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Now police Det. Urica Jones recalled a fellow officer who it seemed everyone liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A number of officers recalled how Weiner loved his fellow officers like brothers and sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7l35py4m_pM/UGWq25IK05I/AAAAAAAAA2w/ffKqAekLQjE/s1600/IRA+POOL+CUE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7l35py4m_pM/UGWq25IK05I/AAAAAAAAA2w/ffKqAekLQjE/s320/IRA+POOL+CUE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They also remembered an avid pool player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>In the break room of the Western District, there’s a pool table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Hanging on the wall next to it, is Ira Weiner’s picture in a glass case, along with his pool cue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It is a fitting tribute.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Murray Weiner told me he doesn’t want his son to be forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It appears after twenty years, there’s little chance that will ever happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/09/never-forgotten.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-3988393033064006041Sun, 06 May 2012 14:05:00 +00002012-05-07T22:51:22.036-04:00A Little Pain, A Lot Of Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are some people, including me, who have sore legs this weekend.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are&nbsp;the 3,000 people who either ran or walked&nbsp;in Saturday's Fiesta 5K.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXtfrx2MLFk/T6Zg1HzkaYI/AAAAAAAAA2E/91JmkwtVWxg/s1600/IMG_4273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PXtfrx2MLFk/T6Zg1HzkaYI/AAAAAAAAA2E/91JmkwtVWxg/s320/IMG_4273.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a fundraiser for the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins.&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NYt_fs4eG2o" width="400"></iframe></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">ALS is a progressive neuromuscular disease that leaves its sufferers unable to walk, talk, or move in any way. O.J. Brigance is never without a smile.&nbsp; His wife Chanda is never without a kind word.&nbsp; </div><div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WTiGAU4Ax3A" width="400"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When you talk to Chanda, or to O.J. who speaks through a&nbsp; voice synthesizer that he manipulates through his eyes, you never get the sense of "woe is me." You get the sense that they are doing important work, calling attention to the disease, and helping those who suffer from it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">O.J. is an inspiration to everyone who attended the race, from Ravens players, to the Towson University football team, to other patients, to those of us who used this race as a chance to get back into shape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg2Hse69_dI/T6Zi4J4fRnI/AAAAAAAAA2U/2yf-sVoWdyQ/s1600/OJ+WITH+TOWSON+PLAYERS+FOR+BLOG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg2Hse69_dI/T6Zi4J4fRnI/AAAAAAAAA2U/2yf-sVoWdyQ/s400/OJ+WITH+TOWSON+PLAYERS+FOR+BLOG.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>There are also other inspiring stories at the Fiesta 5K.&nbsp; Many of the people who walked or ran, did so in teams to honor loved ones who suffer from the disease or who have lost their lives to it. My personal favorite team was "Frank's Fast Friends."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_K7cRvrSew/T6Zf60HK-BI/AAAAAAAAA10/Rsq2YOuUM78/s1600/IMG_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e_K7cRvrSew/T6Zf60HK-BI/AAAAAAAAA10/Rsq2YOuUM78/s400/IMG_0251.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Ruth Cole started the team to honor her Uncle Frank, who died from ALS in 2006.&nbsp; He was a Navy veteran and a truck driver.&nbsp; Take a look at the team's shirts.&nbsp; They show the outline of the lady that you might see on a truck's mud flaps.&nbsp; Ruth told me that Frank's truck had those mud flaps, and she thinks he would have loved the shirts.<br />There were plenty other stories of lives who have been touched by ALS.&nbsp; They put your own daily challenges in proper perspective, including sore legs of those of us who ran.&nbsp;&nbsp;That includes&nbsp;the reporter who also ran with his Flip Cam to give WBAL web viewers a racer's view of the 5K.<br /><br /><div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3aDv9EKtzp0" width="400"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ycbQoQs6eHg/T6ZfY-szp9I/AAAAAAAAA1s/p4UxhH8I0oE/s1600/ME+AFTER+RACE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ycbQoQs6eHg/T6ZfY-szp9I/AAAAAAAAA1s/p4UxhH8I0oE/s400/ME+AFTER+RACE.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>For the record, I finished the race with a time of 30:56.3.&nbsp; I finished in 624th place out of 1,100 runners.&nbsp; It was the first time I had run a 5K in five years.﻿<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/05/little-pain-lot-of-inspiration.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3921713614396377721.post-6248442678341384099Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:25:00 +00002012-02-28T08:40:36.533-05:00Taking Your Pet To WorkYou may have heard of work places that allow employees to take their pet to work.<br />Last week, outside a hearing room in Annapolis, Chloe was attracting attention.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714177614109383122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RlWW1ePrTwA/T0zWQ9h6mdI/AAAAAAAAA1k/uUDia8pOJB0/s400/IMG_8059.jpg" />Chloe is the dog owned by Baltimore City State Senator Lisa Gladden. Sen. Gladden occasionally brings her dog with her to Annapolis. She also often takes Chloe to meetings and events in her district. She says that Chloe has a very calming effect on people, especially children. <br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714177454772832082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aiBwAY72Eig/T0zWHr9Hx1I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/JVDfz_1gVSg/s400/sofie%2Band%2Bme%2Bat%2Blaptop.jpg" />I have never brought any of my pets to work. Quite honestly, there are too many places in a radio station for a cat to hide. There would have to be a massive search for the cat when it's time to go home. However, since I often find myself working at home, my cat has served as a co-worker, or even editor. The late great Sofie the Cat would often climb on my lap when I was working or checking email at home. </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714177336960325890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zRKCVPELGM/T0zWA1EbmQI/AAAAAAAAA1M/trZrbP---G4/s400/SADIE%2BON%2BTHE%2BCHAIR.jpg" />Sofie's successor, who we adopted from the Baltimore Humane Society last month, is Sadie. She too, like to sit nearby as either my wife or I work from home. She can be a calming influence. </div><div>Lately, Sadie has taken to napping in my laptop bag, while I'm working. However, Sadie is much younger than Sofie, and so getting a picture of her in the laptop bag has been tough. By the time I'm ready to snap a picture, Sadie is onto her next napping spot.</div><div>Sadie though, like Sofie, and Chloe do have a calming influence on the workplace, whether it is at home or in the office. <br /></div><div> </div>http://roblang.wbal.com/2012/02/taking-your-pet-to-work.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Robert Lang)